Changing Josie

Inspirational short story of a young girl who chooses to make a change to her risky lifestyle through a run-in with the police.

Submitted:Mar 16, 2013
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Red and Blue lights beamed upon my back, sizzling through
my aura of hardheartedness to reveal my true vulnerable
inner-self. Taking one more painful leap across the cracked
concrete, I came to a sudden halt, pressuring my legs to collapse
under me. It was a dead end, seeing the high brick wall guarding
my escape route was like receiving my death sentence. There was
nowhere to hide and that's when it dawned on me, the reality of
my life. It's was over before it began and when all is said and
done, who's going to be there to support me though the hard days
of prison? Who's going to stand by me and help me to escape my
troubled fate? No one, because I am alone and this is the end. I
let loose the tears that have been coming for years which I kept
inside for fear of showing what I really am. A weak little
girl.

I stand up wearily on my shaky legs, every muscle and
bone in my body ache with each minor movement; breathing takes it
all out of me. Slowly I inch toward the bathroom, the stench of
regurgitated alcohol from my previous night of partying fills my
nostrils and it feels as though my insides are about to come up
through my as well.

In half an hour I'm drudging out the kitchen door on my
way to school. I don't eat because I'm afraid my stomach can't
handle it and my throat is in too much pain from the acid burning
into my oesophagus. If my eyes didn't feel as though they were
burning to crisps I would say it were a very nice day. The sun is
out and the birds are whistling a wonderful tune. I wonder if
others take the time to notice little pleasures like these but
wouldn't consider asking. Things like that are for the sensitive
and nature is for the inferior while electronics rule the
world.

I arrive at school to find that my first subject is
English. God help me. I'm actually quite bright in this area but
the class is filled with over-achievers and if I were to show a
slight of anything but indifference toward the lesson my mates
will think I'm square and not invite me to the party tomorrow.
Our teacher, Ms. Calloy is a rigid forty year old cow with a
strict agenda bent on getting me kicked out of her class. Though
I can't quite blame her for the easily obtainable goal, this
doesn't mean I agree with her methods of 'discipline' which seem
to only apply to me. She once ever so subtly told me this was
because she is aware I have a brain, but refuse to use
it.

"Everyone! Hush now and take out your books. I'd like to
check your homework from Friday. I know a few of you" she shoots
me a sly death stare and continues with her speech " think that
the work I set for you is pointless and don't bother to attempt
it. You will surely fail in life. Those of you who have in fact
completed your work please raise your hand and I shall come
around and check it." While a few tired hands slide into random
obtuse angles, one, the arm of Gracie Snell, the teachers pet's
hand shoots up toward the sky without hesitation, but an air of
superiority. She's tall with perfect skin and silky blonde hair
that makes my comparatively dull brown locks look like it came
out of the sewer. I would consider her quite attractive if she
didn't constantly have that proud grin painted across her face
making her appear like a witch.

As Ms. Calloy crossed the room a paper plane landed on my
desk and she had snatched it up before I'd even had time to
unfold it. Her speed is remarkable. She opened the flaps gingerly
then scowled at what was hiding behind them. "MISS JOSIE FORLIN!
PRINCIPLE'S OFFICE NOW!".

I'm sitting in the old musty office waiting for Principle
Hoffman for two hours staring down at my black nail polish and
leather wristbands. My mother hated them while I was still living
with her and her loser boyfriend. I've never been particularly
fond of black but it signifies my insipidity when it comes to
emotions. It turns out that the paper plane featured a
particularly vulgar picture of Gracie with some unpleasant words.
I don't bother to challenge the Principle's decision to have me
suspended. Besides now I'll have more time for my night job.
Michael and I sell cocaine to street gangs. Tonight was going to
be a busy one.

11 PM that night.

It's 11 PM and the moon was full, shining on Michael and
I, the only conceivable witness of the crime we were about to
commit. It all happened so fast, someone must have tipped them of
because we aren't there ten minutes when we heard the sirens of
approaching police cars. Before I could fathom what was happening
I saw Michael pull out his gun and shoot the front, left wheel of
a cop car which came skidding towards us and we began to run.
Michael didn't make it far before he was hit in the lower back
and fell to the ground. I looked to my side upon his face to
catch a glimpse of his agony. But I keep running. Until I came to
the dead end and had my epiphany. As the tears began to flow and
I was being dragged away by to two large police officers, I made
the decision to change, to be good. And just as we began to drive
away to police station, to the rest of my life I whispered to
myself, "Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me". And
that's exactly what I did.